Just a two hour drive south of Anchorage, Cooper Landing, a gem nestled in the untouched wilderness, is renowned for its pristine scenery and rich wildlife. Established following Joseph Cooper’s gold discovery in 1884 near what is now Cooper Creek, the area quickly drew settlers. Interestingly, the potential for gold in this region was first noted by Peter Doroshin, a Russian engineer, in 1848 when it was part of Russian America. The area was officially named after Cooper when Cooper Creek was recorded in 1898 by the U.S. Geological Survey.

A popular summer destination, Cooper Landing offers tourists the chance to see a diverse array of wildlife including moose, caribou, bald eagles, coyotes, wolves, river otters, both black and brown bears, and even occasional harbor seals, along with a variety of birds like trumpeter swans, mergansers, loons, and cormorants. The community has grown since its humble beginnings. In 1946, Pat and Helen Gwin arrived when the town had just about 100 residents and started a small, packaged goods store out of a tent. This period also marked the beginning of major developments such as the construction of the Sterling Highway, connecting Cooper Landing to Homer, which opened in 1950, and the Seward Highway in 1951. The Gwins built and opened Gwin’s Lodge, using spruce logs from the surrounding Chugach National Forest, on January 1, 1952. Despite parting ways in 1959, Helen continued to manage the lodge until her retirement in 1976. Today, it remains one of the oldest log roadhouses in operation in Alaska.
Additionally, Cooper Landing is a haven for anglers. The Kenai River, celebrated for its world-class salmon and trout, offers outstanding fishing opportunities. Expert guides are available to assist both boat and riverside fishers, enhancing the experience with possible wildlife sightings, including bears, moose, and eagles.

Photos courtesy of Travel Alaska, Kenai Peninsula WordPress, Gwins Lodge, and doublehaulflyfishing.com